Snapshots of International Judo Open
Photos taken on Nov. 16 show the athletes fighting for gold at the "Good Luck Beijing" International Judo Open Tournament.Photos taken on Nov. 16 show the athletes fighting for gold at the "Good Luck Beijing" International Judo Open Tournament.Olympic Square lit up
Five giant enlightened Olympic rings light up the Dalian Olympic Square at the night of Nov. 20. The square has become an attractive night scenery.
Golf World Cup kicked off in Shenzhen
2007 Omega Mission Hills Golf World Cup was kicked off in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, on November 22, with 56 top players of 28 countries taking part in it.
2007 Omega Mission Hills Golf World Cup was kicked off in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, on November 22, with 56 top players of 28 countries taking part in it.Tallest Christmas tree in HK
An over 20-meter tall Christmas tree, reportedly the tallest in Hong Kong, was unveiled at a shopping mall in Hong Kong Nov. 21, 2007.Root sculpture of Olympic torch
Lin Xueshan in Fuzhou, Fujian Province, want to make a root sculpture of an Olympic torch, and the project is half completed by now. It will be 2 meters tall and 150 kg heavy when completed. The sculpture will be a gift to the torch relay in 2008. The pictures were taken on November 20, 2007.
Report: Kaka to win Golden Ball
AC Milan's Kaka celebrates after scoring against Celtic during their Champions League Group D soccer match at Celtic Park in Glasgow, Scotland October 3, 2007.BRASILIA, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- Kaka, the Brazilian mid-fielder who currently plays for AC Milan, will be the 2007 recipient of the highly coveted Golden Ball, local reports said on Saturday.
"It is official, but, like always in these situations, the awarding panel imposes the discretion of everyone involved: the winner, the team and the media. A few days ago, Kaka was told to prepare for the award ceremony that will be held on the 2nd of December," according the a report of the Brazilian news portal, G1.
The prize awarded to the 25-year-old Kaka, according to judges from the French magazine France Football, is "quite significant when you take into account that for the first time, players from all over the world, not just Europe, were considered for the prize."
In the last couple of months, Kaka admits that he has seen his name circulate in various newspapers and magazines as the favorite to win.
However, the mid-fielder claims that "no one" has gotten in contact with him to notify him that he had won.
Sampras defeats Federer in Macao exhibition match
Pete Sampras reacts during the match. The retired U.S. tennis legend Pete Sampras defeats current world No.1 Roger Federer 7-6 and 6-4 in the Venetian Macao Tennis Showdown, the last stop of their Asian exhibition match tour in Macao on Saturday.MACAO, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- The retired U.S. tennis legend Pete Sampras shocked the present World No. 1 Roger Federer Saturday by 7-6, 6-4 in the Venetian Macao Tennis Showdown, the last stop of their Asian exhibition match tour.
"I guess it's one for the old guys," Sampras joked at the award ceremony. He said at the press conference later on, "I made it competitive and I am serving very well."
"Pistol Pete" displays his trademark serves and volleys Saturday. The former world top player won the first set on a tie-break by 10-8 when neither player could reach a break of serve.
Sampras got the first but vital break of the match at 4-4 in the second set and went straight for the victory by 6-4.
"It's been tough beating my childhood hero, but I am happy he got me at least once, " said Federer. The first two matches in the series of three were won by Federer 6-4, 6-3 in Seoul and 7-6, 7-6in Kuala Lumpur earlier this week.
"Sorry to disappoint you, but I am not coming back, " Sampras said when asked about whether he would return from retirement.
36-year-old Sampras, who retired from professional tennis five years ago, had won a record 14 Grand Slams. 26-year-old Federer, who owns 12 titles, is expected to break the mark in 2008.
The two met only once before on the ATP tour, in the fourth round of Wimbledon in 2001 when Federer defeated Sampras in five sets.
The Asian tour gained worldwide attention and 12,000 seats for the Venetian Macao Tennis exhibition match were sold out in a few days.
Roger Federer (R) of Switzerland poses with Pete Sampras of U.S. after their tennis invitational exhibition match in Kuala Lumpur Nov. 22, 2007.BEIJING, Nov. 23 (Xinhuanet) -- The third time may be the charm for a stubborn Pete Sampras after the Grand Slam record holder closed the gap on world No. 1 Roger Federer in a 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5) loss in the second of three exhibition matches, which took place Thursday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The top-ranked Swiss star won their last encounter 6-4, 6-3 in South Korea on Tuesday.
Pete Sampras shakes hands with Roger Federer during their invitational exhibition match in Seoul Tuesday. The Swiss won 6-4, 6-3.BEIJING, Nov. 21 -- In an exhibition match between the giants of tennis present and past, world No. 1 Roger Federer defeated Pete Sampras in straight sets 6-4, 6-3.
The match in Seoul is the first of three Asian exhibitions the two legends will play. The pair meet again tomorrow in Kuala Lumpur before heading to Macau two days later.
Sampras defeats(R) chats with Roger Federer after the match. The retired U.S. tennis legend Pete Sampras defeats current world No.1 Roger Federer 7-6 and 6-4 in the Venetian Macao Tennis Showdown, the last stop of their Asian exhibition match tour here on Saturday.
Roger Federer (R) of Switzerland poses with Pete Sampras of U.S. after their tennis invitational exhibition match in Macao, Nov.24, 2007. The retired U.S. tennis legend Pete Sampras defeats current world No.1 Roger Federer 7-6 and 6-4 in the Venetian Macao Tennis Showdown, the last stop of their Asian exhibition match tour in Macao.
Roger Federer of Switzerland returns the ball during a friendly match against Pete Sampras of the United States in Macau Saturday, Nov. 24, 2007. Sampras won 7-6, 6-4.FIFA unveils official poster for 2010 World Cup Finals
FIFA President Sepp Blatter unveils the official poster for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup at press conference in Durban, Nov. 23, 2007, ahead of Sunday's preliminary draw for the competition.
FIFA's President Sepp Blatter (L) shakes hands with Irvin Khoza, chairman of the 2010 FIFA World Cup local Organising Committee, during the unveiling of the FIFA 2010 football World Cup official poster in Durban, Nov. 23, 2007.
FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke listens during a press conference in Durban, Nov. 23, 2007, ahead of Sunday's preliminary draw for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup
Local Organising Committee Chairman Irvin Khoza speaks during a news conference in Durban, Nov. 23, 2007, ahead of Sunday's preliminary draw for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup.Sampras closes gap, Federer hangs on for win
The third time may be the charm for a stubborn Pete Sampras after the Grand Slam record holder closed the gap on world No. 1 Roger Federer in a 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5) loss in the second of three exhibition matches, which took place Thursday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The top-ranked Swiss star won their last encounter 6-4, 6-3 in South Korea on Tuesday.
Their age difference became the decisive factor — at 26, Federer was never in danger of losing against an opponent a decade older who retired from competitive tennis five years ago.
Nevertheless, Sampras, who has won a record 14 Grand Slams, showcased his big serves and hit fierce forehand returns down the line — the hallmarks of his 1990s heyday.
The pair traded point for point in both sets in Malaysia's Malawati Stadium, where Sampras had the crowd gasping at his ability to prevent Federer from steamrolling over him.
"I was impressed with Pete tonight," Federer told reporters. "He played some unbelievable shots, but then again he is capable of doing that. He had an incredible serve which was so difficult to read tonight.”
Sampras acknowledged Federer's superiority in the match.
"I am happy with my performance tonight. I hung in there right until the end," he said.
They are playing three Asian exhibition matches this week that will culminate in a final get-together in Macau on Saturday.
Roger Federer (R) of Switzerland poses with Pete Sampras of U.S. after their tennis invitational exhibition match in Kuala Lumpur Nov. 22, 2007
Roger Federer of Switzerland plays a shot to Pete Sampras of the U.S. during their exhibition tennis match in Kuala Lumpur Nov. 22, 2007
Pete Sampras of the U.S. plays a shot to Roger Federer of Switzerland during their exhibition tennis match in Kuala Lumpur Nov. 22, 2007
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The top-ranked Swiss star won their last encounter 6-4, 6-3 in South Korea on Tuesday.
Their age difference became the decisive factor — at 26, Federer was never in danger of losing against an opponent a decade older who retired from competitive tennis five years ago.
Nevertheless, Sampras, who has won a record 14 Grand Slams, showcased his big serves and hit fierce forehand returns down the line — the hallmarks of his 1990s heyday.
The pair traded point for point in both sets in Malaysia's Malawati Stadium, where Sampras had the crowd gasping at his ability to prevent Federer from steamrolling over him.
"I was impressed with Pete tonight," Federer told reporters. "He played some unbelievable shots, but then again he is capable of doing that. He had an incredible serve which was so difficult to read tonight.”
Sampras acknowledged Federer's superiority in the match.
"I am happy with my performance tonight. I hung in there right until the end," he said.
They are playing three Asian exhibition matches this week that will culminate in a final get-together in Macau on Saturday.
Roger Federer (R) of Switzerland poses with Pete Sampras of U.S. after their tennis invitational exhibition match in Kuala Lumpur Nov. 22, 2007
Roger Federer of Switzerland plays a shot to Pete Sampras of the U.S. during their exhibition tennis match in Kuala Lumpur Nov. 22, 2007
Pete Sampras of the U.S. plays a shot to Roger Federer of Switzerland during their exhibition tennis match in Kuala Lumpur Nov. 22, 2007Silk-made Olympic annals available shortly
The silk-made Olympic annals accounting the Olympic Movement and the Beijing Olympic Games will be available to collectors in early December.BEIJING, Nov. 23 -- Annals made of silk fabric accounting the Olympic Movement and the Beijing Olympic Games will be available to collectors in early December.
The annals are a double-sided silk album with full-color printing that adopts specialized printing techniques to lay out the magnificent Olympic history on traditional brocade. The idea is to use silk, which is unique to China, to record the brilliant moments in the development of the Olympic Movement and the preparation for the Beijing Olympic Games.
The annals will introduce both tangible and intangible cultural elements of past Olympic Games, including the venues, emblems, medals, mascots, and the ceremonies, while presenting the modern outlook and the ancient traits of Beijing.
With a limited issue of 30,000 copies, the annals will be sold at a price of 2,008 yuan (270 U. S. dollars) per volume.
Romario postpones his retirement
Former Brazil player Romario of the Miami Football Club gestures from the bench during a friendly soccer match against Portmore United in Miami, Florida, in this April 16, 2006 file photo. Vasco da Gama's team president, Eurico Miranda, guaranteed the presence of the player in the 2008 Carioca Cup, a competition unique to the various soccer clubs inside the city of Rio de Janiero.BRASILIA, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- The unending saga of Romario's retirement promises to give sports fans much more to talk about, local press reported on Thursday.
Although not confirmed by Romario, Vasco da Gama's team president, Eurico Miranda, guaranteed the presence of the player in the 2008 Carioca Cup, a competition unique to the various soccer clubs inside the city of Rio de Janiero.
According to Miranda, all the details have been worked out with the player who has scored 1,000 goals.
"Romario will play in the state-wide tournament. We still haven't made a contract, but we have conversed convincingly. I don't guarantee that he will play for the whole tournament, but we are planning his retirement from soccer while he's a member of Vasco (da Gama)," explained Miranda.
Before the country-wide tournament had started, Romario had decided that he would retire at the end of the year, bringing to an end his illustrious career.
However, an injury to his heel impeded the player from scoring any more goals. It is for this reason that the 42 year old may continue to play for Vasco da Gama in next year's Carioca Cup.
The team's physical trainer, Luis Flavio, guarantees Romario's physical and technical condition are in prime condition to continue playing.
Wednesday, Romario practiced for 40 minutes in Sao Januario, Vasco da Gama's headquarters. However, he will not suit up for the game against Corinthians next Wednesday due to travel plans to Miami.
England out of Euro 2008 after 3-2 loss to Croatia
England's David Beckham (L) and Steven Gerrard react following their Euro 2008 Group E qualifying soccer match against Croatia at Wembley stadium in London Nov. 21, 2007. England failed to qualify for next year's European Championships after losing a sensational game 3-2 to Croatia at Wembley.
England's Steven Gerrard reacts following their Euro 2008 Group E qualifying soccer match against Croatia at Wembley stadium in London Nov. 21, 2007.
England captain Steven Gerrard (2R) walks away as the Croatian team celebrate their sides first goal during their Euro 2008 Group E qualifying soccer match at Wembley stadium in London, Nov. 21, 2007.
England's Peter Crouch (Front) celebrates with David Beckham after scoring his sides second goal during their Euro 2008 Group E qualifying soccer match against Croatia at Wembley stadium in London Nov. 21, 2007.
England's Peter Crouch (C) celebrates with his teammates after scoring his sides second goal during their Euro 2008 Group E qualifying soccer match against Croatia at Wembley stadium in London Nov. 21, 2007.
England's Peter Crouch (Top) challenges Croatia's Niko Covac for the ball during their Euro 2008 Group E qualifying soccer match at Wembley stadium in London Nov. 21, 2007
England's David Beckham applauds the crowd following their Euro 2008 Group E qualifying soccer match against Croatia at Wembley stadium in London Nov. 21, 2007
England's (L-R) Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Sol Campbell react after Croatia's third goal during their Euro 2008 Group E qualifying soccer match at Wembley stadium in London Nov. 21, 2007.Mexico president increases budget for 2008 Beijing Olympics
MEXICO CITY, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Mexico's president Felipe Calderon on Tuesday said his government would increase the nation's budget for sports by 25 percent for athletes attending the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
He also promised at the 2007 National Sports Prize ceremony that the nation's athletes would have the government's full support during the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
He said that Mexico would place all its administrative resources at the services of making Mexico grow in the international sporting plane and leaving a legacy for future generations. This includes seeking grants, friendly tours and quality uniforms for athletes, he said.
He asked Josefina Vazquez Mota, the nation's public education minister, and Carlos Hermosillo, the director of the National Physical Culture and Sports Commission, to boost their efforts on behalf of sports.
"The transformation of Mexico begins with a new mentality, a new attitude and a new spirit," he said.
The athletes who were given awards at the ceremony were golfer Lorena Ochoa, taekwondo fighter Maria Espinoza, diver Paola Espinosa and Paralympic swimmer Patricia Valle. Taekwondo coach Jose Onofre and the Telmex Foundation received the other awards.
Mexico will send 120 athletes to the Beijing Olympic Games. In the last Olympics in Greek capital Athens in 2004, the nation won four medals.
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He also promised at the 2007 National Sports Prize ceremony that the nation's athletes would have the government's full support during the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
He said that Mexico would place all its administrative resources at the services of making Mexico grow in the international sporting plane and leaving a legacy for future generations. This includes seeking grants, friendly tours and quality uniforms for athletes, he said.
He asked Josefina Vazquez Mota, the nation's public education minister, and Carlos Hermosillo, the director of the National Physical Culture and Sports Commission, to boost their efforts on behalf of sports.
"The transformation of Mexico begins with a new mentality, a new attitude and a new spirit," he said.
The athletes who were given awards at the ceremony were golfer Lorena Ochoa, taekwondo fighter Maria Espinoza, diver Paola Espinosa and Paralympic swimmer Patricia Valle. Taekwondo coach Jose Onofre and the Telmex Foundation received the other awards.
Mexico will send 120 athletes to the Beijing Olympic Games. In the last Olympics in Greek capital Athens in 2004, the nation won four medals.
Roddick takes opening win at Tennis Masters Cup
Andy Roddick of the United States reacts after winning a point against Nikolay Davydenko of Russia during thier match of the Tennis Masters Cup Shanghai at Qi Zhong Stadium Monday, Nov. 12, 2007 in Shanghai, China. Roddick beat Davydenko 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.
American Andy Roddick returns a serve from Russian Nikolay Davydenko during a match in the Tennis Masters Cup Shanghai held in Shanghai, China, Monday, Nov. 12, 2007. Roddick won 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.
American Andy Roddick returns a shot from Russian Nikolay Davydenko during a match in the Tennis Masters Cup Shanghai held in Shanghai, China, Monday, Nov. 12, 2007. Roddick won 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.
American Andy Roddick returns a shot from Russian Nikolay Davydenko during a match in the Tennis Masters Cup Shanghai held in Shanghai, China, Monday, Nov. 12, 2007. Roddick won 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.
American Andy Roddick celebrates his victory over Russian Nikolay Davydenko in a match for the Tennis Masters Cup Shanghai held in Shanghai, China, Monday, Nov. 12, 2007. Roddick won 6-3, 4-6, 6-2
Andy Roddick of the United States greets spectators after beating Nikolay Davydenko of Russia in their match of the Tennis Masters Cup Shanghai at Qi Zhong Stadium Monday, Nov. 12, 2007 in Shanghai, China. Roddick beat Davydenko 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.Mike Tyson sentenced to 1 day in jail for drug possession, DUI
Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson was sentenced to one day in jail instead of four years, for cocaine possession and driving under the influence, media reported Tuesday.
The 41-year-old boxer who had pleaded guilty in September to a single felony count of cocaine possession and a misdemeanor DUI count will begin serving his jail time Tuesday morning.
"I take responsibility for my actions," Tyson told Superior Court Judge Helene Abrams.
In addition to the jail time, he was also ordered to serve three years' probation on each count, pay a fine, submit to drug testing and perform 360 hours of community service.
Tyson, the "Iron Mike," was arrested on Dec. 29 after he had spent the evening at a night club in Scottsdale, Arizona. He was seen driving erratically and almost collided with a police vehicle. An officer said he saw Tyson wiping a white substance off the dashboard of his black BMW, and that his speech was slurred.
Authorities said they found 2.16 grams of cocaine in several bags in Tyson's pocket and in his car.
Tyson told officers later that he used cocaine "whenever I can get my hands on it," and that he preferred to smoke it in Marlboro cigarettes with the tobacco pulled out, according to court documents.
He also told police that he used marijuana that day and was taking the antidepressant Zoloft, the documents state.
Prosecutors had sought one year in prison for the boxer, saying he was a repeat offender with a violent past and that the court needed to send a strong message.
County Attorney Andrew Thomas said he was disappointed in the judge's ruling.
"His intentional criminal conduct seriously endangered the public," said Thomas, in a prepared statement.
"DUI is a very serious offense which too often results in death or injury to others."
Tyson attorneys had argued for probation because he had admitted his mistakes and was trying to battle his addictions. He had passed 29 straight drug tests, said his attorneys.
Tyson, who became the youngest heavyweight champion in history at 20, spent three years in an Indiana prison following a 1992 rape conviction and another spell in jail for two misdemeanor assault charges in Maryland in 1999.
His career hit a low point when he bit Evander Holyfield's ear during a fight in 1997.
Recently the former fighter had been trying to revive his career with a series of boxing exhibitions.
Former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson walks into Maricopa County Superior Court in Mesa, Arizona Nov. 19, 2007. Tyson was sentenced to three years probation and one day in jail for drug possession and driving under the influence.
Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson turns away from the judge after hearing his sentence in Maricopa County Superior Court in Mesa, Arizona, Nov. 19, 2007Federer fights Sampras in exhibition match
BEIJING, Nov. 21 -- In an exhibition match between the giants of tennis present and past, world No. 1 Roger Federer defeated Pete Sampras in straight sets 6-4, 6-3.
The match in Seoul is the first of three Asian exhibitions the two legends will play. The pair meet again tomorrow in Kuala Lumpur before heading to Macau two days later.
Sampras, 36, retired in 2002, a year after the only previous meeting between the pair at Wimbledon 2001.
Federer won that fourth round match in five sets. If the Swiss star, who lifted his fourth Masters Cup title on Sunday in Shanghai, expected an easier ride against the aging American he was in for a shock.
Sampras brought cheers from the crowd at Seoul's Olympic Tennis Arena as he fired down two fierce aces in his first service game.
The balding Sampras proceeded to break his opponent's serve and then moved 4-2 ahead courtesy of a delightful drop shot.
"I feel pretty good," Sampras told Korean television after the game. "I made it competitive, which was my goal. Obviously Roger is the best player in the world and I retired five years ago. I am grateful that he invited me."
Federer was equally happy with the workout.
"Pete was one of my idols growing up and it's great to play him," Federer said. "It wasn't easy for me, it wasn't easy for him as he's been retired five years. I am No. 1 and everyone expects me to win."
All the familiar trademark volleys and serves were on display but Sampras, who has won 14 grand slams to Federer's 12, was slower around the court than in his 1990s heyday and made a number of unforced errors.
Federer took advantage of those to break the serve Sampras and take the first set 6-4.
Apart from three successive lobs that Federer served up to his opponent in the second game of the second set, the game was a competitive, though light-hearted affair.
By that time, Federer was hitting his stride and took the second set with a minimum of fuss.
"I have no plans to come back from retirement," said Sampras. "You have to come back for a reason. I just stay home and watch Roger win on television."
Pete Sampras shakes hands with Roger Federer during their invitational exhibition match in Seoul Tuesday. The Swiss won 6-4, 6-3
Roger Federer of Switzerland, wearing traditional Korean clothes, hits a ball to spectators after winning an invitational exhibition tennis match against Pete Sampras of the U.S. in Seoul Nov. 20, 2007
Roger Federer of Switzerland (L) and Pete Sampras of the U.S., wearing traditional Korean clothes, walk after their invitational exhibition tennis match in Seoul November 20, 2007
Pete Sampras of the United States returns to Roger Federer during their invitational exhibition match in Seoul Tuesday. The Swiss won 6-4, 6-3Chang'e-1 completes long journey to moon successfully
The CCTV footage shows that China's first lunar probe Chang'e-1 successfully completed its 1,580,000-km flying journey to the moon after entering its final working orbit on Wednesday's morning, Nov. 7, 2007.BEIJING, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- China's first lunar probe, Chang'e-1, completed its nearly two-million-km journey to the moon successfully on Wednesday morning and entered its working orbit.
The probe, following instructions of the Beijing Aerospace Control Center (BACC), started its third braking at 8:24 a.m. and entered a 127-minute round polar circular orbit at 8:34 a.m.
"It marks success of the probe's long flight to the moon," said Luan Enjie, chief commander of China's lunar probe project.
TV footages showed work staff in the ground control center hailing the success with colored newsletters featuring a black headline "Circling the Moon, We Made It!" on the front page.
The gray-haired Luan and silver-haired Sun Jiadong, chief designer of the project, wearing smiles and holding hands together tightly.
"The satellite entered the designed working orbit just in time and very accurately today," said Sun, who has joined hands with Luan for more than a decade to develop, test and carry out the country's ambitious lunar probe project.
Ye Peijian, chief commander and designer in charge of the satellite system, considered it "a landmark moment". "It proves that we have the ability to send our satellite to circle around the moon."
China sent its first satellite into the Earth orbit in 1970, and has recorded more breakthroughs in its space program in recent years.
The country carried out its maiden piloted space flight in October 2003, making it the third country after the former Soviet Union and the United States to have sent men into space. In October 2005, China completed its second manned space flight, with two astronauts on board.
"Chang'e-1 has presented an extraordinary achievement, since it's the first time that Chinese scientists manage to maneuver a satellite 390,000 km away from the earth," said Wang Yejun, chief engineer of the BACC.
"The probe will travel along the current orbit at a stable altitude of 200 km above the moon's surface. In each circle, it will always pass the two polars," Wang said.
The round orbit is also the final destination of the probe, where it is supposed to start carrying out all the planned scientific exploration tasks.
The CCTV footage shows that China's first lunar probe Chang'e-1 successfully completed its 1,580,000-km flying journey to the moon after entering its final working orbit on Wednesday's morning, Nov. 7,
"The probe's precise entry into the orbit has laid a solid foundation for its future work, and we are confident that Chang'e-1 will continue to fulfill the aims step by step," said Ma Xingrui, general manager of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASTC) in charge of the rocket and satellite systems.
The 2,350-kg satellite carried eight probing facilities, including a stereo camera and interferometer, an imager and gamma/x-ray spectrometer, a laser altimeter, a microwave detector, a high energy solar particle detector and a low energy ion detector.
According to the project's plan, Chang'e-1 will open all the instruments aboard it to start scientific explorations after a period of orbit testing.
"Currently, all the facilities are in very good conditions. Next, scientists need to maintain smooth communications between the ground and the satellite and keep it in the orbit," said ZhangHe, director of the CASTC's space technology research institute.
Chang'e-1 is expected to fulfill four scientific objectives, including a three-dimensional survey of the Moon's surface, analysis of the abundance and distribution of elements on lunar surface, an investigation of the characteristics of lunar regolith and the powdery soil layer on the surface, and an exploration of the circumstance between the earth and the moon.
"One of its major tasks is to probe the mineral elements on the moon, especially those not existent on the earth," Zhang said.
"The lunar regolith is abundant in helium-3, a clean fuel that may support the earth's energy demands for more than a century," she said, admitting that there is still a long way to go from the probing of the element to its actual use.
Chang'e-1 was originally designed to stay on the orbit for one year, but Tang Geshi, an official in charge of the orbital control with BACC, estimated that smooth operations and precise maneuvers may have saved 200 kg of fuel and help prolong the probe's life span.
In the probe's 15-day flight, the BACC cancelled two orbital corrections, which saved a lot of fuel, as Chang'e-1 had been running accurately on the expected trajectory. In total, the probe experienced four orbital transfers, one orbital correction and three brakings and each of the maneuver was very fuel-consuming.
"All the maneuvers in the flight have been completed precisely. The accuracy is much higher than our expectation," Ye Peijian said.
Li Jian, an official with the BACC, said the satellite is designed to take ground orders on Nov. 18 to position all the instruments towards moon, a posture facilitating the probing work, and the maneuver may last 100 minutes.
However, Zhou Jianliang, deputy chief engineer of the BACC, revealed that they are considering to give the order ahead of the schedule, since the satellite is in "a very good state".
The satellite will also position its solar panel towards the sun for power generating and the directional antenna towards the earth to allow data to be transmitted back to the earth.
Chang'e-1 will relay the first black-and-white picture of the moon after the instruments are positioned to the moon.
"Actually, what the probe transmits back is just abstract data, which will need six hours to be processed into a two-dimensional picture and about a day into a three-dimensional one," Li Jian said.
Sun Huixian, deputy chief designer of the satellite system, said in the afternoon's press conference that pictures transmitted back by Chang'e-1 will not show footprints left by U.S. astronauts who landed on the moon in 1969 Apollo 11 mission due to insufficient resolution.
The probe is also expected to transmit back data of 32 pieces of music, which can be played by the radio stations or downloaded from the Internet after being decoded, Li Jian said.
The music include the national anthem, "The East is Red", a tribute to Mao Zedong, which was broadcast in 1970 from the country's first man-made earth satellite, and some moon-themed songs, such as Chinese pop diva Faye Wong's rendition of a famous Song Dynasty poem.
"The tone quality of 'The East is Red' may sound more clearly and smoothly than in 1970," Li added.
By mid January of next year, all the probe's instruments will be able to finish scanning the moon's entire surface at least once, said Li Guoping, spokesman with the China National Space Administration (CNSA), at the press conference.
Chang'e-1, named after a legendary Chinese goddess who flew to the moon, blasted off on a Long March 3A carrier rocket on Oct. 24from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwestern Sichuan Province.
Zhu Jin, curator of the Beijing Planetarium, believed that it will boost a fervor for astronomical and aerospace knowledge among the common public, especially the younger generation, more of whom may step into relevant fields in their future study and career.
China's lunar orbiter project has cost 1.4 billion yuan (187 million U.S. dollars) since research and development of the project was approved at the beginning of 2004.
The launch of the orbiter kicks off the first step of China's three-stage moon mission, which will lead to a moon landing and launch of a moon rover at around 2012. In the third phase, another rover will land on the moon and return to earth with lunar soil and stone samples for scientific research at around 2017.
"We want to open part of the second-phase projects for public tender to attract competent institutions and enterprises, including scientific research organs, universities and private companies, to participate," said Li Guoping.
"With the expansion of China's space explorations, we'd like to encourage private enterprises to join the space technology development and attract social funds into the research, construction and trade in the aerospace field," Li said.
China has recently announced that it's working on a new generation of carrier rockets, Long March 5, which is more powerful and able to lift more weight to the moon.
The new rockets may catch the third phase and will take off from a new space launch center in the southern island province of Hainan, which is expected to be completed in 2012 and formally put into use in 2013.
There has been no specific timetable for the development of a space station, Li Guoping said, adding that Chinese scientists are willing to participate in the experiments carried out in the International Space Station.
The launch of Chang'e-1 came shortly after Japan launched its first lunar probe, Kaguya, in mid-September, while India is planning to send its own lunar probe into space next April, sparking off concerns of a space race in Asia.
But Luan Enjie, chief commander of China's lunar orbiter project, said that "China will not be involved in moon race with any other country and in any form."
"China will, in pursuing its policy of peaceful use of airspace, share the achievements of the lunar exploration with the whole world," he told Xinhua.
The CNSA announced that data obtained by this probe will be open to scientists all over the world for their study.
In the past 49 years, the United States, Soviet Union, Europe and Japan have launched 123 moon missions, among which 6 manned missions successfully sent 12 people to land on the moon.
BEIJING, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- China's first lunar probe, Chang'e-1, completed its second braking on Tuesday's morning, which further decelerated the satellite to get it closer to its final orbit.
Chang'e-1, following the instructions of the Beijing Aerospace Control Center (BACC), started the second braking at 11:21 a.m. and entered a 3.5-hour orbit with a perilune of 213 km and an apolune of 1,700 km at around 11:35 a.m. after completing the braking
The CCTV footage shows that China's first lunar probe Chang'e-1 successfully completed its first braking at perilune and enters the moon's orbit Monday morning, Nov. 5, 2007.BEIJING, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- China's first lunar probe, Chang'e-1, completed its second braking on Tuesday's morning, which further decelerated the satellite to get it closer to its final orbit.
Chang'e-1, following the instructions of the Beijing Aerospace Control Center (BACC), started the second braking at 11:21 a.m. and entered a 3.5-hour orbit with a perilune of 213 km and an apolune of 1,700 km at around 11:35 a.m. after completing the braking.
"The second braking was done just as accurately as the first one and the satellite has entered the orbit just as designed," said Zhu Mincai, head of the Beijing Aerospace Control Center (BACC).
"The second braking has laid a good foundation for the probe's entry into its final working orbit tomorrow," Zhu said, adding that scientists and engineers will continue their calculation and measurement in the afternoon to ensure a success maneuver on Wednesday.
"So far, orbital transfers of the probe have all been done accurately," said Bian Bingxiu, a researcher with the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
"The precise ground maneuvers and orbital transfers have saved a lot of fuel, which may prolong the probe's working time on its final orbit by around one year," Bian said.
Zhu Mincai said that the probe will brake for the third time at around 8:09 a.m. on Wednesday to enter its final orbit, marking success of the probe's whole flying journey to the moon.
The third braking will slow down the probe's speed to 1.59 km per second to put it on a 127-minute round polar circular orbit, where it was originally planned to stay a year for scientific explorations.
"In the prolonged period, the probe can carry out some other scientific tests, which may help acquire experience for China's second- and third-stage moon missions," Bian said.
The launch of Chang'e-1 kicks off the first step of China's three-stage moon mission, which will lead to a moon landing and launch of a moon rover at around 2012. In the third phase, another rover will land on the moon and return to earth with lunar soil and stone samples for scientific research at around 2017.
The BACC cancelled two pre-set orbital corrections while the probe traveled along the earth-moon transfer orbit from Oct. 31 to Nov. 5, calling them "unnecessary" as Chang'e-1 had been running accurately on the expected trajectory.
So far, the satellite has experienced four orbital transfers, one orbital correction and two brakings. All these maneuvers usually consumed a great deal of fuel, scientists explained.
Because of the planned maneuvers, the fuel that the 2,300-kg Chang'e-1 carries accounts for nearly half of the satellite's total weight.
Before the second braking, Chang'e-1 was traveling along a 12-hour elliptical moon orbit, with a perilune of about 210 km and an apolune of about 8,600 km.
Chang'e-1 successfully completed its first braking and entered the moon's orbit at around 11:37 a.m. on Monday, which made it become a "real" circumlunar satellite.
The probe, named after a legendary Chinese goddess who flew to the moon, blasted off on a Long March 3A carrier rocket on Oct. 24from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwestern Sichuan Province.
The probe is expected to fulfill four scientific objectives, including a three-dimensional survey of the Moon's surface, analysis of the abundance and distribution of elements on lunar surface, an investigation of the characteristics of lunar regolith and the powdery soil layer on the surface, and an exploration of the circumstance between the earth and the moon.
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